PLNU News

Originally from King’s Lynn, a small village 30 miles outside Cambridge, England, Dr. Ivan Filby attended the prestigious Aston University for both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees. During his schooling, he lectured at the University of Dublin: Trinity College. At Dublin, Filby was able to create and oversee 30 international partnerships for the School of Business Studies.Later, as the university’s first director of international student affairs, he oversaw the university’s 150 exchange partnerships as well as the recruitment of students from outside of the European Union.He traveled extensively, representing the university and the Republic of Ireland in many different venues.As part of his protocol function at the university, he met frequently with ambassadors, government ministers, and occasionally with country presidents and vice presidents. Filby has developed many educational programs at multiple institutions, expanding educational opportunities for many people, and has been published in a variety of journals for his writings on business, education, and religion.

After eight years, he left the University of Dublin for Greenville College in Illinois, feeling God’s prompting to work in Christian higher education.

Filby said that many questioned his choice to leave his highly esteemed position and travel budget for “a lower income and minimal resources.” But Filby followed where he felt the Holy Spirit was leading so that he could contribute his international business expertise to Christian higher education. During his time at Greenville College, Filby developed a master’s program for the business school; created a music business major; directed AgapeFest, a Christian music festival, transforming it from a high cost expenditure into a profitable event; and worked to more than triple the enrollment in Greenville’s business school.

Filby is now transitioning to PLNU with hopes to expand the possibilities within PLNU’s Fermanian School of Business. He hopes to grow the MBA program and develop more courses for students to study and intern internationally. His passion is to supply Christian students with the tools they need to excel in the competitive business market while maintaining fair practices and Christian values.

Aside from academic growth, Filby is dedicated to his students’ spiritual growth. He prays openly in the classroom and invites students into his home for worship nights. His desire to develop students professionally, academically, and spiritually will benefit PLNU students and the community.

The San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) commissioned PLNU's Fermanian Business and Economic Institute to create their 2012 San Diego Military Economic Impact Study. PLNU Chief Economist Dr. Lynn Reaser was the primary author of the report.﻿

The report highlights the vital role the military plays in San Diego -- the defense industry will contribute more than $20 billion to San Diego's economy in 2012 and provide more than 300,000 jobs. Through avenues such as employment, retiree and veteran benefits, contracts, grants, purchasing, and tourism, the military plays an important role in keeping San Diego's economy healthy.

Reaser reported that military spending in San Diego is likely to "hold steady" in 2013. Though the specter of sequestration raises some concerns, she said that San Diego enjoys some safeguards such as existing contracts.

The report is being distributed to both civilian and military leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps and to elected officials in San Diego and Washington D.C.

Copies of the full report can be obtained through SDMAC at www.sdmac.org.

June 18 through July 13, PLNU is hosting Hume SD, a Christian summer camp for high school and junior high students. The original Hume Lake Christian summer camp is in Ponderosa Pines, northern Calif., and has now expanded to new sites in San Diego and New England. This year’s speakers include Chris Simning, Chuck Bomar, and Mike Smith.

Recreational activities offered to the campers include a climbing wall, air soft, basketball and volleyball, the rec room, beach access and transportation, surfboard rentals and surfing lessons, kayaking, and more. Students gather for chapel and small group discussions two times a day and enjoy free time the rest of the day. During free time, campers can put what they’re learning at camp into practice through outreach opportunities. Campers can partner with different ministries to reach out to the homeless in San Diego and even with Vacation Bible School in Mexico.

This summer’s theme is “The Phantastical Journey of the Wandering Lites.” The messages will reflect the Israelites’ story “as they literally followed the visible presence of God out of Egypt, yet still rejected, replaced, and simply forgot His provision and guidance.” The speakers will emphasize God’s sufficiency even in our “wavering faith.”

SAN DIEGO – PLNU catcher Ricky Gingras was taken by the Houston Astros in the 18th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday, the 549th overall pick.

Gingras hit a team-best .357 for the Sea Lions in 2012, collecting 56 hits in 157 at-bats. The 6’2” slugger also belted six doubles with seven homeruns and 36 RBI. He earned All-Golden State Athletic Conference honors at season's end.

“I had no idea what round I’d be taken in,” said Gingras who got the call from the Astros shortly after his selection. “It’s been a dream of mine to play baseball professionally since I was a little kid. I’m excited to get that chance.”

PLNU professor of music and department chair Dr. Paul Kenyon was recently honored as the University Music Educator of the Year by the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Southern Border Section in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education.

The CMEA and County honored city and county music educators and site administrators for their exceptional work on April 30 at an event called "Fortissimo: Awards of Excellence in Music Education."

Ron Jessee (78), visual and performing arts coordinator and California Region 9 arts lead for the San Diego County Office of Education presented Kenyon his award.

“During his tenure as music department chair at Point Loma Nazarene University, Paul Kenyon has been an avid advocate of the California Music Educators Association,” said Jessee. “Through his leadership, PLNU has been a partner in supporting the production of the CMEA annual conference, yearly honor choir, band and orchestra events, and other academic arts gatherings that are related to the work of CMEA. Paul is a member of the San Diego Arts Network, a consortium of administrators who work together to build capacity in all the arts and to help schools maintain programs in good and bad times. He is in his last year as the music department chair, and CMEA believes he is uniquely deserving of this recognition.”

In April, PLNU was announced in San Diego Metro Magazine as one of “San Diego’s Most Trusted Brands.” This award represents local businesses and organizations that have earned the respect of their customers because of their dedication to “high standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.”

PLNU prepares students not only for the local workforce, but also for global impact. PLNU students are equipped with intellectual and spiritual strength, as they get involved with local ministries and overseas missions – and this makes all the difference.

“The credit for this award really goes to everyone in the PLNU community. The PLNU brand is created by all of the interactions people have with our faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” said Michele Corbett, PLNU director of marketing and creative services.